Montenegro Triumphs Over Faroe Islands in World Championship Opener

Montenegro’s women’s handball team, known as the “Lions,” started their World Championship campaign with a convincing victory over the Faroe Islands, winning the match 32-27. The team showcased their skills and resilience, particularly through the performance of goalkeeper Armel Atingre, who achieved an impressive save rate of 44.7 percent, stopping eight clear shots on goal in the first half alone.

The match, held on March 1, 2024, highlighted Montenegro’s status as favorites. They maintained a steady pace throughout the game, although their defense faced challenges, especially when the Faroe Islands employed a seven-player offensive strategy. This tactical shift occurred at the 22nd minute, when the score was 13-9 in favor of Montenegro, and it proved effective for the Faroe team, allowing them to close the gap.

Despite this, Montenegro missed several scoring opportunities, failing to capitalize on six clear chances in the first half. These missed shots allowed the opposing goalkeeper, Peterson, to find her rhythm. The first half mirrored a previous encounter between these teams during the European Championship qualifiers, where Montenegro had a strong lead but faltered as the match progressed.

The second half saw a shift in momentum as coach Suzana Lazić made strategic adjustments to the lineup. Katarina Džaferović led the charge, finishing the first half with four goals, while Jelena Vukčević quickly contributed two additional goals, extending Montenegro’s lead to 17-14.

Montenegro’s defense tightened significantly in the opening minutes of the second half, allowing only two goals in the first ten minutes. Ivona Pavićević and Ivana Godeč played crucial roles, with Godeč scoring on an empty net at 21:15, further solidifying Montenegro’s advantage.

As the match progressed, the Faroe Islands attempted to rally back, narrowing the score to 27-23 with eight minutes remaining. Despite being outnumbered on several occasions, Montenegro held their ground. With five minutes left, the Faroe Islands reduced the deficit to 29-26, but a crucial steal from Anastasija Marsenić and a subsequent goal from Dijana Trivić sealed the victory, making the final score 31-26.

In total, Vukčević emerged as Montenegro’s top scorer with five goals, while Džaferović, Godeč, and Jauković each contributed four. Atingre’s remarkable performance in goal was a key factor in the team’s success, showcasing her potential as a valuable asset for the tournament.

Montenegro will next face Paraguay in their upcoming match, scheduled for March 3, 2024. The team remains focused on improving their defensive strategies while maintaining their offensive momentum as they progress in the tournament.